What is an Infant Carrier Seat?

When it comes to choosing a car seat parents have two choices of infant car seats or convertible seats. Car seats for infants have the shortest time for use because they can only be used with rear-facing.

Infant carrier seats are commonly compatible with strollers (adapters available separately) to make a travel system. Parents can effortlessly take their baby out of the car and into a stroller without disrupting their sleep.

Safety

Many parents are worried about the safety of an infant carrier seat, especially when they buy one for the first time. As with all car seats, the infant carrier seat was designed to safeguard your child as safe as it is possible in the event of a collision. They are usually placed to the rear, making them the best car seat newborn choice for infants who face the most chance of being injured in a vehicle accident.

They also have extra padding to provide additional head protection and lower anchors that secure the seat to the chassis of your vehicle to prevent it from moving in a collision. This is particularly crucial for infants who have large necks and heads that can be easily injured in a sudden stop or crash. Most infant carrier seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, creating a travel system that lets you easily move your baby from your car to your stroller without disrupting them.

Most infant car seats also include a base that can be used in other vehicles. This allows you to bring your child wherever you go. This is particularly beneficial if you frequently use taxi or ride-sharing services as it makes traveling on planes with your child much more comfortable as well.

Some models of infant carrier seats are even capable of being used on strollers that do not have a base, which allows you to keep your baby safe during all kinds of adventures and trips. This is a great choice for grandparents who want to assist you in transporting your child, too!

It's also important to keep in mind that a child's car seat is not meant to be left unattended outside of a vehicle, as babies can roll or tip them over on soft surfaces, leading to injuries and even suffocation. This is why you should always review the safety instructions thoroughly prior to using an infant car seat in a different place.

Portability

Many infant car seats are sold as part of a "travel system" that is a combination of the car seat base and the frame for the stroller. They snap together to allow for seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies since they allow parents to transfer their baby from the car to the stroller, and vice versa without having to awake them. This alone is the main reason why more than 80percent of Babylist parents sign up for a baby car seat seat!

Many infant car seats work with most strollers. Stroller compatibility allows parents to easily take their baby out of the car and onto the frame of a stroller to walk around a park or grocery store. This is a great feature to consider in the event you plan to use a ride share or taxi service, since most of these services require the child be in a car seat.

As opposed to convertible car seats, which are required to be in the car the infant car seats are usually smaller and lighter making them a convenient option for families that are constantly on the move. Some infant car seats also come with a handle, so that parents can carry the seat on their own. This is especially helpful for those planning a trip you do not want to awake your baby for.

Some convertible car seats are designed to be rear-facing seats for infants and later convert into a forward-facing car seat for older children. These all-in-one seats are a great option if you are looking to keep your child in a secure car seat for as long as possible. You can even find seats that convert to convert into a high back booster seat once your child outgrows the harness (or exceeds the weight and height limits). Be sure to look for this when browsing options!

Easy of Use

A rear-facing infant carrier seat is car seat that snaps into the base of your vehicle. These seats are designed to keep babies and infants safe until they reach the weight and height requirements of the booster. Many infant car seats are also compatible with strollers, which will make it easy to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller and continue your journey without disrupting their nap time.

Look for an infant seat with a detachable carrier you can attach to the base of a stroller, or even a car. This will allow you to quickly move your baby in and out of the car, especially when their nap is about to end or if they're thirsty, hungry or bored. It's also important to look over the shoulder strap slots and position them properly according to your child's size. If the straps are placed too high or low they won't be able to be used properly in a crash, and they could be dangerous.

Some infant car seats have lower anchors that can be used with or without the base. This is perfect for taxi rides or when traveling by plane. It's important to check that the lower anchors have an European routing path and are simple to install and release and we're looking for an audible click to ensure the seat is properly secured. It is important to choose a seat that comes with an easy-to use harness and a carrier adjustment system. Examples include Graco's click connect and UPPAbaby's SmartSecure.

Convertible car seat is the next step following an infant carrier. They are able to be used until your child reaches the height or weight requirements for a booster. They can be used with a stroller, but don't offer the infant-like fit and convenience of an infant car seat cheap car seat. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally larger and less portable which makes them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children around busy areas.

Installation

Car seats, specifically infant car seats, are complicated to install. It is essential to install car seats in a safe and secure manner. This is influenced by the position of your seat and the angle of the base, and how you use the handle.

The majority of infant car seats are made to be attached to a base which remains in the vehicle, which is often called a travel system. These seats are made to be used rear-facing and are safer than forward-facing. Most car seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that can be read to ensure the seat is in the correct semi-reclined position for your baby. The base could have an angle adjustor.

Another feature to look out for is whether the seat has an option to adjust the height of the shoulder straps without having to disengage and adjust the straps. This is a huge time saver as you'll need to do it multiple times throughout the infant's car seat usage.

Certain cars have a hard point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant car safety seats. They are typically tucked into the crease between cushion back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks are custom made for the specific seat and should be able to snap into place with minimal effort. They may also make a distinct sound when they are securely attached.

It is also a great idea to test the car seat on the child first to ensure it is suitable for your family. If the car seat doesn't fit into the base, or your child is not comfortable, it's time for you to look for a different option.

Certain car seats can be able to be installed without a base. This is helpful when you travel by public transportation or taxi services such as Uber. Read the instructions of the manufacturer for removing and installing the car seat without base, but the majority will allow you to do so by pressing a button or lever. Many will provide the clear "click" to indicate that it is secure enough.